Then... the van started having some issues. We noticed that the engine was straining quite a bit and it didn't seem to want to pull the camper. After a few hours, it was time for lunch and just as we were leaving the Interstate, Steve saw some black stuff coming from under the camper. We pulled into the restaurant and Steve checked the tire... the tread had come off completely. We were right across the street from WalMart and so we figured we could go and get a new tire. We went in and ate lunch and as we came back out to leave, the van wouldn't start! It was very frustrating because we checked the tires before we left and Steve turned the van in for a check-over to make sure it was in good traveling condition and yet... there we sat. We started calling mechanics and we had several strikes against us... it was Sunday and it was Father's Day. We found a wonderful man, Mr. Bill who offered to drive to where we were and help us. In the meantime, we said a prayer and that the van might start so we wouldn't have to pay for towing. When Mr. Bill got to us, he decided we needed to go to his shop, which he opened just for us and yes, the van started and we were able to drive there:
The next problem we had, was that the air conditioner went out as we were driving to Mr. Bill's! He was kind enough to open his cool office for us to hang out in.
Everyone looking thrilled...
McKay wanted to be Mr. Bill's secretary and answer his phone every time it rang...
Our goal this trip was to make the best of whatever happened and I am so proud of everyone and their attitudes. We were in Mr. Bill's little office for FOUR hours and no one complained!!
McKay wasn't enjoying the air conditioning after a while and luckily had a sweat shirt, and no she wasn't playing on Mr. Bill's computer, just wishing she could.
The girls drew Mr. Bill a picture to thank him for all of his help. In the meantime, Steve and I were wondering which child we would have to sell to pay off this bill that we figured would be astronomical!
And here is the culprit... a spark plug cover had a hole in it! They also discovered the fuel filter needed changed, we can't believe the people in GA didn't discover all of this. Mr. Bill helped us change our tire and then we were off!
While we were in Mr. Bill's a huge rain storm hit our travel route. Thankfully, we missed the rain but were greeted with this beautiful rainbow... a reminder of the Lord being aware of us. Before we started our trip, Owen said a prayer that we would have safety... we felt this safety all along our route:
It could have been worse...
we could have broken down on a small back-road in the middle of nowhere, with no air conditioned office to sit in. The tire could have blown and caused us to jack-knife on the Interstate. We might not have found someone who was willing to open his shop and help us and then only charge us $200. We saw so many blessings despite the inconvenience we encountered.
Twelve hours after we left home (it was only a five hour drive), we pulled into our campground and set up in the dark. We all headed to huddle house for dinner and finally climbed in our beds at 1:00 am. The kids all slept in until 10 the next morning and we finally got to explore the campground:
Stay tuned for day two....
1 comment:
Wow that was TOO eventful for an uneventful day! Glad you were blessed along the way and made it to your vacation destination.
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